Manchester United did plenty of spending in the summer, with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw just some of the names to arrive at the club. With Di Maria being preferred centrally by boss Louis van Gaal, and captain Wayne Rooney now a seemingly fully-fledged midfielder, the situation has changed for former Chelsea man Juan Mata.

The Spanish international finds himself in a similar situation to the one he escaped at Stamford Bridge last January, with first-team football no longer a given at Old Trafford.

With that in mind, he has even been linked with a move away from the club this morning, as Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing the player. Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo, who have good links with the Catalan club, suggest that Barca have earmarked him as one of their first signings when their transfer embargo passes in January 2016.

The report suggests Barcelona could sign him in the summer, but the player would have to wait until the new year to play for the club, suggesting he could remain at United for a further six months or edge elsewhere on loan.

On top of that, MD also point out that he would cost a significant amount, which Barca would struggle to pay.

However, the report is ceaseless, claiming Barca directors Carles Rexach and Ariedo Braida are big fans of the player and will make their move in the summer ahead of a deal confirmation in 2016.

Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 27 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.Mathew is a correspondent for the NextGen Series, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga.